Every golfer wants to hit longer drives, and learn how to get more distance with driver . More distance off the tee gives you shorter approach shots, easier greens to hit, and lower scores. The good news is that gaining distance doesn't require superhuman strength or years of practice.
Follow these 10 professional tips and maximize the potential of your driver. Whether you're swinging with one of the best direct to consumer golf clubs brands or just searching for a new driver club for golf, there are some principles that apply to all skill levels.
Apply these proven strategies and watch your drives fly further. Let's dive into the actionable tips that will transform your tee shots.
Tip 1: Optimize Tee Height & Ball Position
One of the easiest ways to get extra yardage is setting the right tee height. The ball should be teed up high enough so that when you address it, about half of the ball is above the crown. This position promotes a high-to-low swing which makes the ball go higher with less spin.
Ball position is equally critical for maximum distance. Position the ball directly opposite your lead foot’s instep or just inside your left heel if you’re a right-handed golfer. This forward position allows you to catch the ball on the upswing, creating optimal launch conditions that lead to increased distance .
The combination of proper tee height and ball position promotes contact on the sweet spot. Consistently hitting the sweet spot is more important to gaining distance than how fast your swing is. Make these changes before you think about the rest of your swing to add distance to your drives .
Tip 2: Swing Faster, Not Harder For More Distance
There is a critical distinction between swinging hard and swinging fast. If you swing hard, you create tension that acts as a brake and slows your clubhead speed. If you swing fast with smooth acceleration a lot more speed comes without much strain or effort. Practice your tempo with drills that emphasize rhythm over power. A smooth, well-timed swing consistently outperforms an aggressive, tense swing. Think "athletic motion" rather than "hitting hard."
Tip 3: Master Your Setup and Shoulder Tilt
Everything that happens in your swing is a result of your setup position. Begin in an athletic position, balanced on the balls of your feet and with knees bent. This is the base of strong rotation and stability. Check your setup in a mirror or video regularly. Small setup adjustments can produce dramatic improvements in launch conditions and overall distance. Quality full golf sets from LAZRUS Golf are designed to work optimally with proper setup fundamentals.
Tip 4: Maintain Lag and Stay "Back" in Your Full Swing
Keeping lag is keeping your wrists hinged longer on the way down before you release through impact. This stored energy equates to increased clubhead speed when released correctly. Think of it like cracking a whip, the delayed release creates maximum velocity.
Practice the sensation of feeling like your head stays behind the ball at impact. This feeling is what allows you to increase your swing speed and still maintain the upward attack angle required for distance. Your finish should be balanced and you should feel more weight over your lead side.
Tip 5: Improve Wrist and Forearm Coordination
The release through the impact zone requires precise wrist and forearm coordination. Your forearms should naturally rotate through the ball, which squares the clubface at impact. Get this turn, along with good wrist action and you'll have both accuracy and velocity.
Many golfers "flip" at impact, where the lead wrist breaks down and the club passes the hands too early. This costs both distance and consistency. Instead, maintain a flat lead wrist through impact while your forearms rotate.
Take slow motion swings, concentrating on your wrists and forearms only. As you get the feel down, try to pick up the speed a little bit with that same motion. This trains muscle memory for the correct release pattern.
Tip 6: Develop Core Rotation Power
Distance depends less on arm strength and mostly on rotational power. Your core muscles generate the torque that translates to clubhead speed. Concentrate on developing this turning power with full shoulder turns and stable lower body positioning as part of your fitness routine .
Mirror drills can be useful to help support the ingraining of this pattern. Look in the mirror, and turn watching to see if your shoulders are rotating fully, but your spine angle is being maintained. These visual check points make you more aware of good positions throughout your swing.
Tip 7: Find the Right Driver and Get Properly Fitted Equipment
Properly fit equipment can immediately add 30+ yards to your drives without altering your swing. Shaft flex as well as length and loft can dramatically impact your distance. The wrong specs can cost you a lot of distance, even if you’re making a good swing. LAZRUS Golf specializes in providing quality direct to consumer golf equipment at an unbeatable value so every golfer can play at their best.
Tip 8: Use Smart Drills for Power and Added Driving Distance
Focused drills get you better faster than just pounding golf balls at the range. The ‘Rest, Rotate, Reach’ drill teaches you to properly load your torque by focusing on the backswing coil and extension through the ball.
The "Flower Power" drill teaches a shallower swing path that promotes an inside-out delivery. This path creates the draw-bias ball flight that typically produces more roll and total distance. Practice swinging under a barrier to feel the correct path.
Tip 9: Strength & Flexibility Training to Help Add Driver Distance